Monthly Archives: June 2017

London is a thriving and vibrant capital and as far as major cities around the world go, relatively safe. That said, as in any major city, you have to keep your wits and senses about you. Here are some useful ways from the Metropolitan Police to keep you and your property safe on the street.

Look confident

You are less likely to be targeted if you look confident. Move with purpose and try to be aware of your surroundings.

Know where you’re going

Plan your route and think about what to take with you, especially If you’re going somewhere you haven’t been before. Keep to busy, well-lit streets, walkways and paths which are more likely to be covered by CCTV. Only take licensed taxis or minicabs booked by phone or a mobile phone app.

Hide it

Keep your mobile phone and valuables out of sight. if you’re using your phone it’s more likely to be snatched from your hand as you’re not paying attention to your surroundings, so look around you. And never leave a mobile, any other device, wallet or purse on the table of an outdoor café, pub or restaurant. Same goes for any jewellery you might be wearing – keep it covered when walking down the street.

Finally – and this is so important to remember – if you’re threatened with violence, don’t risk your personal safety. Property can be replaced, you can’t.

London Visitors is the official blog for the Visiting London Guide.com website. The website was developed to bring practical advice and latest up to date news and reviews of events in London. Since our launch in 2014 , we have attracted thousands of readers each month, the site is constantly updated. We have sections on Museums and Art Galleries, Transport, Food and Drink, Places to Stay, Security, Music, Sport, Books and many more. There are also hundreds of links to interesting articles on our blog. To find out more visit the website here

Knowing how to respond to a violent situation requires split-second decision making and presence of mind – not always easy. However, the Metropolitan Police have compiled a list of things you should do in the highly unlikely event that you find yourself in a violent situation.

It’s important to never lose sight of the fact that your personal safety is the most important thing. Your belongings can be replaced but you can’t. So, when responding to a violent situation, please try to remember the following:

Trust your instincts and if you think a situation is getting worse, try not to get involved.

Look for a way to leave.

If you’re in a building with security personnel, tell them immediately about what is happening.

Put distance between yourself and the other person.

If you are able to, call 999. If you’re unable to call the police during the incident, then call as soon as you can.

If it comes to the worst, you are entitled to defend yourself using reasonable force, but you may be asked to account for and justify any action you take.

London Visitors is the official blog for the Visiting London Guide.com website. The website was developed to bring practical advice and latest up to date news and reviews of events in London. Since our launch in 2014 , we have attracted thousands of readers each month, the site is constantly updated. We have sections on Museums and Art Galleries, Transport, Food and Drink, Places to Stay, Security, Music, Sport, Books and many more. There are also hundreds of links to interesting articles on our blog. To find out more visit the website here

The recent events in Westminster and London Bridge have highlighted that terrorist attacks can happen anywhere and anytime.

Police are reminding the public of some simple steps to help stay safe in the unlikely event of an attack.

Run, Hide, Tell is the easy to remember message that explains what people should do if they are confronted by terrorists: RUN to a place of safety. This is a far better option than to surrender or negotiate. If there is nowhere to run then HIDE. It is better to hide than confront. Remember to turn your phone to silent and turn off vibrate. Barricade yourself in if you can. Then finally, and only when it is safe to do so, TELL by calling police on 999.

Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Neil Basu says: “The chances of ever being caught up in an attack are very small, but it if did happen you would not be thinking straight. You need a simple message that will quickly come to you – Run, Hide, Tell.

Police forces across Britain are training more highly skilled firearms officers that will be available to respond to terrorist threats.In England and Wales around 100 extra officers are being trained each month towards a net total increase of 1500 to be qualified by the end of the programme in April 2018. Some of these officers will have additional, highly specialised training in dealing with terrorism operations.

With the threat level remaining at high levels, the police and security service continue to operate at a heightened state of readiness. However, it is only with the ongoing support of communities that the police can defeat terrorism – the public are the eyes and ears and need them to be alert, but not alarmed.

Police are asking everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour or activity to the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 or in an emergency, 999.

London Visitors is the official blog for the Visiting London Guide.com website. The website was developed to bring practical advice and latest up to date news and reviews of events in London. Since our launch in 2014 , we have attracted thousands of readers each month, the site is constantly updated. We have sections on Museums and Art Galleries, Transport, Food and Drink, Places to Stay, Security, Music, Sport, Books and many more. There are also hundreds of links to interesting articles on our blog. To find out more visit the website here

These include people loitering in public places who appear to be checking out passers-by, paying particular interest to their handbags, shopping bags and where they might place their wallet or purse. For example, be aware of individuals who appear to be focusing their attention on the waist area of others. The Met see this as a strong indication of criminal intent and probable theft. But do bear in mind the fact that some people are naturally shy and do avoid eye contact. Always follow your instincts.

The opportunists

Pickpockets also operate in shops and department stores, where people are more likely to be standing still, distracted and so paying less attention to their belongings, making them an easier target. Be more aware of your surroundings in busy shops and shopping centres because they’re ideal places for pickpockets, as it’s easier for them to brush past people, take items and blend into the crowd.

Team tactics

Pickpockets don’t always operate alone, they may work in teams to distract the target while someone unseen removes the items and blends back into the crowd. Another member might step in as an enforcer in the event of an altercation.

Crowding in

Thieves vary their tactics based on the location and the density of the crowd. One tactic is where a group of them push up against a victim in a crowded shop or street then quickly reach into the victim’s pocket and steal their wallet, phone or purse.

Dirty tricks

Remember, pickpockets are very skilled at what they do. They know all the tricks and are extremely light-fingered with most of their thefts only taking a second or two. One of their tactics is ‘hugger mugging’ where a thief will appear to be over-friendly for no particular reason and hug you while pickpocketing you.

The point of distraction

Pickpocket teams are adept at creating distractions. This could be anything from a game to a loud shout, all designed to avert your attention while an unseen accomplice steals your valuables. So do try not to be easily distracted.

Are you a prime target?

Do’s

Do keep purses and bags closed and secure at all times.

Do carry bags in front of you or diagonally across your chest.

Do return cards to your purse or wallet quickly and zip it up or button it.

Do use a purse that’s difficult to open. One that zips or snaps shut is best, and keep it closed.

Do use a money belt if you’re carrying a significant quantity of cash.

Do conceal your wallet in a buttoned or zipped pocket where it doesn’t bulge.

Do keep a list, separate from your wallet and phone, of contact numbers of family in case your phone is stolen.

Do keep a photocopy of your airline tickets, passport, credit cards and any other documents that would be impossible or inconvenient to replace if stolen.

Don’ts

1.Don’t hang stuff on the back of a chair.

2.Don’t leave anything on the back of a pushchair.

3.Don’t place your belongings out of sight on the floor.

Remember, having a zipped bag doesn’t mean you’re totally safe. Thieves have been known to walk behind victims while slowly unzipping bags. Yes, they can be that bold. So, never underestimate a pickpocket.

London Visitors is the official blog for the Visiting London Guide.com website. The website was developed to bring practical advice and latest up to date news and reviews of events in London. Since our launch in 2014 , we have attracted thousands of readers each month, the site is constantly updated. We have sections on Museums and Art Galleries, Transport, Food and Drink, Places to Stay, Security, Music, Sport, Books and many more. There are also hundreds of links to interesting articles on our blog. To find out more visit the website here

The 30th of June will see the V&A Exhibition Road Quarter open to the public for the first time. We were fortunate to have a preview of the new civic space, the new world-class gallery space for the V&A’s internationally acclaimed exhibition programme and a new entrance into the museum. The project is designed by Stirling Prize-winning architect Amanda Levete and her practice, AL_A.

The 48 million pounds development of the V&A Exhibition Road Quarter marks part of a new era for the Museum, as it prepares to expand its UK and international presence. The project is the Museum’s largest architectural addition in over 100 years and took six years to realise. The quarter will open up the Exhibition Road side of the museum and connect it to its near neighbours, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum reigniting the ideas of Albertopolis with museums and public spaces.

When visitors arrive at the new quarter, they will go through the 1909 Aston Webb Screen and newly created colonnade. The stonework of the Aston Webb Screen retains the damage that World War II inflicted on the Museum, which is reflected in 11 sets of new metal gates.

They will then enter the Sackler Courtyard: the world’s first porcelain public courtyard, paved in 11,000 handmade tiles that were inspired by the rich tradition of ceramics at the V&A. This new public space for London also houses a café with furniture designed for the space by AL_A and manufactured by Moroso.

Visitors will enter the museum through the Blavatnik Hall: a new entrance into the V&A from Exhibition Road, which transforms how visitors experience and discover the Museum and its collections. The hall will also connect the newly displayed Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Galleries of Buddhist Art and the Dorothy and Michael Hintze Sculpture Galleries with views through to The John Madejski Garden.

Moving down the sweeping staircase, visitors will arrive at the new Sainsbury Gallery: a flexible, 1,100sq m column-free exhibition gallery that provides the V&A with a purpose-built space for its world-leading programme of temporary exhibitions. The first exhibition to be presented in The Sainsbury Gallery will create an immersive journey through nearly 400 years of opera. The exhibition entitled Opera: Passion, Power and Politics, is in collaboration with the Royal Opera House.

To celebrate the opening of the V&A Exhibition Road Quarter, there will be a free, week-long public festival (30 June-7 July) which will allow the public to explore the Museum’s newly designed spaces before exhibition programming begins in the autumn.

These are exciting times for the V&A and the opening of the new Exhibition Road Quarter provides access to the museum from the main thoroughfare of Exhibition Road. The courtyard will no doubt be very popular for the thousands of visitors and provides a new space for people to congregate before entering the museum. As would be expected, the strong design element in the new quarter is modern but with acknowledgement of its surroundings and the sweeping staircase down to the new gallery is spectacular and functional.

Visiting London Guide Rating – Highly Recommended

If you would like to visit the new V&A Exhibition Road Quarter, it opens on the 30th June 2017.

London Visitors is the official blog for the Visiting London Guide .com website. The website was developed to bring practical advice and latest up to date news and reviews of events in London. Since our launch in 2014 , we have attracted thousands of readers each month, the site is constantly updated. We have sections on Museums and Art Galleries, Transport, Food and Drink, Places to Stay, Security, Music, Sport, Books and many more. There are also hundreds of links to interesting articles on our blog. To find out more visit the website here

The BP Portrait Award, now in its 38th year at the National Portrait Gallery and 28th year of sponsorship by BP, is a highly successful annual art event aimed at encouraging artists to tackle the theme of painted portraiture within their work. The BP Portrait Award, one of the world’s most prestigious art competitions, has a first prize of £30,000, making it one of the largest for any global arts competition.

The BP Portrait Award is popular with artists with 2580 entries from 87 countries. It is also popular with the public, last year the BP Portrait Award exhibition received over 300,000 visitors. From the original entries, 53 portraits have been selected for the exhibition and the winners are selected from these portraits.

This year’s first prize was won by Suffolk based artist, Benjamin Sullivan for Breech! a portrait of his wife Virginia breastfeeding their eight month old daughter.

The second prize of £10,000 went to French painter and illustrator, Thomas Ehretsmann, for Double Portrait, depicting his pregnant wife Caroline.

The third prize of £8,000 went to Antony Williams for Emma his portrait of model turned friend, Emma Bruce, completed in his studio in Chertsey.

The BP Young Artist Award of £7,000 for the work of a selected entrant aged between 18 and 30 has been won by 26 year old New Zealand artist Henry Christian-Slane for Gabi, a portrait of his partner Gabi Lardies.

The winner of the BP Travel Award 2017, an annual prize to enable artists to work in a different environment on a project related to portraiture, was Casper White for his proposal to create works about music fans in clubs and concert venues in Berlin and Mallorca. The prize of £6,000 is open to applications from any of this year’s BP Portrait Award-exhibited artists, except the prize-winners.

The winning portraits were selected and judged anonymously by a panel which included broadcaster Kirsty Wark and artist Michael Landy.

Part of the attraction of this free exhibition is to enjoy the wide variety of portraiture which features some famous and not so famous faces. The standard is consistently high and it is fun when you wander around the exhibition to pick out your own particular favourites and decide whether you agree with the judge’s choices.

The portrait can be seen at the National Portrait Gallery from Thursday 22 June when the BP Portrait Award 2017 exhibition opens to the public. Admission to the exhibition is free.

The BP Portrait Award 2017 exhibition will run at the National Portrait Gallery, London, from Thursday 22th June to Sunday 24th September 2017 and then go on tour to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery Exeter (4 October – 3 December 2017); Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh (December 2017 – March 2018); Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens (March – June 2018.)

Visiting London Guide Rating – Highly Recommended

If you would like to find out more about the exhibition, visit the National Portrait Gallery website here

London Visitors is the official blog for the Visiting London Guide.com website. The website was developed to bring practical advice and latest up to date news and reviews of events in London.
Since our launch in 2014 , we have attracted thousands of readers each month, the site is constantly updated.
We have sections on Museums and Art Galleries, Transport, Food and Drink, Places to Stay, Security, Music, Sport, Books and many more.
There are also hundreds of links to interesting articles on our blog.
To find out more visit the website here

Christopher Nolan’s hotly-anticipated feature film Dunkirk, is to screen in IMAX 70mm 2D film at the Science Museum on its worldwide opening weekend.

The Science Museum, one of only three venues in the UK showing Nolan’s epic cinematic event in the largest commercial film format, will screen the film in IMAX 70mm 2D film. IMAX 70mm film projection combines the brightest, clearest images at almost 10 times the resolution of standard 35mm film projection with specially created sound for a high-quality viewing experience.

Nolan has often used IMAX film and for Dunkirk, more footage was shot on IMAX film than in any other Nolan film, with extensive use of IMAX cameras in an innovative hand-held capacity.

The film is relates the events in the Second World War when hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops are surrounded by enemy forces in Dunkirk.

The creative team on Dunkirk included director of photography Hoyte van Hoytema, production designer Nathan Crowley, editor Lee Smith, costume designer Jeffrey Kurland and visual effects supervisor Andrew Jackson. The music was composed by Hans Zimmer.

Dunkirk screens at the Science Museum from 21 July 2017.

For more information and book tickets , visit the Science Museum website here

London Visitors is the official blog for the Visiting London Guide .com website. The website was developed to bring practical advice and latest up to date news and reviews of events in London.
Since our launch in January 2014, we have attracted thousands of readers each month, the site is constantly updated.
We have sections on Museums and Art Galleries, Transport, Food and Drink, Places to Stay, Security, Music, Sport, Books and many more.
There are also hundreds of links to interesting articles on our blog.
To find out more visit the website here